Roach Facts: Why Do Cockroaches Die on Their Backs and More

You might consider cockroaches to be the most disgusting creatures ever, but there might also be lot of fascinating facts you don't know about them, such as their significance in the ecosystem, the reason why they flip over when they die, and whether or not they can drown.

This article provides an insightful look at numerous fabulous facts about cockroaches.

Why Do Cockroaches Die on Their Backs?

Because cockroaches have bulky bodies that are composed of three heavy segments supported by only six long, thin legs, they often involuntarily roll onto their backs when they die. This happens because at the time of death they lose muscle control, causing their leg muscles to contract and tuck underneath their bodies. Without anything to hold them to the ground, their top-heavy bodies topple over and they die belly up, on their backs.

Usually, only cockroaches that have been killed with insecticide die on their backs. This is because insecticide affects the nervous system, causing different enzymes to build up in the cockroach. These enzymes often cause muscle spasms, and with their already top-heavy body, they almost always end up lying on their backs at their time of death.

In nature, cockroaches mostly die as a result of being eaten. If a cockroach accidentally rolls over in nature, there is usually some debris (sticks, leaves, dirt) they can grab onto to right themselves. But cockroaches living in homes often find themselves in a tough situation if they roll over on a linoleum, or otherwise smooth, surface. After futile efforts to right themselves, they become exhausted and die.

It is important to remember that cockroaches do not always die on their backs, but with such top-heavy bodies, this is usually the case, especially when it comes to cockroaches that are living in homes or that have been sprayed with insecticide.

Why Do Cockroaches Come Out to Die?

It is not entirely clear why most roaches seem to expose themselves before dying. Unlike many animals that prefer to find secluded crevices when they feel they are close to death, cockroaches have been reported on many occasions to migrate to the center of a room before dying.

In one account, dying cockroaches would gravitate toward the center of a homeowner's living room after being doused with insecticide days earlier. In order to avoid stepping on them, the homeowner would kick them aside. When the homeowner came back hours later to collect the dead bodies, he found that the half-alive cockroaches had made their way to the center of the room again before dying.

One theory that attempts to explain why cockroaches behave this way is that the cockroaches are disoriented and plagued with muscle spasms after being sprayed with insecticide. This might cause them to confusedly make their way out of their hiding places and into the open.

Can Cockroaches Play Dead?

Cockroaches can, indeed, play dead. Many have reported seeing cockroaches stay completely still (sometimes even roll onto their backs) until a human presence or threat has gone away. Once they detect the coast is clear, the cockroach will flip back onto its feet and scuttle away to safety.

Cockroaches are also known to be able to hold their breath for up to 40 minutes. This skill makes them extremely good actors when it comes to playing dead. In a Mythbusters experiment testing if a cockroach could drown, the sample cockroaches appeared dead after being submerged in water for 30 minutes. However, the next day, all of the supposedly "dead" cockroaches were alive.

Mythbusters' Drowning Cockroaches Experiment (Video)

Do Cockroaches Die If You Step on Them?

Yes, you can kill a cockroach by stepping on it.

A myth exists that says if you step on a cockroach, you may break its egg case and release a hoard of baby cockroaches. While this is certainly possible, most of the time the force of a foot coming down on a cockroach will kill it and all of its babies too, assuming it is carrying any.

In any case, stepping on a cockroach will kill it, but you should keep in mind that if you see a cockroach, stepping on it does not mean your cockroach problem is over and done with. Cockroaches are social creatures, which means that if you see one, there are most likely many more nearby.

The best way to eliminate cockroaches is using aerosols and insecticides that take care of cockroach infestations in one fell swoop.

How Long Does It Take for a Cockroach to Die After Being Sprayed With Insecticide?

The length of time a cockroach, or cockroach infestation, can survive after being treated with an insecticide varies based on the extermination method and the scale of the cockroach infestation.

Usually, cockroaches die within minutes of being sprayed. At first, they move about in panic. Shortly after, the poison begins to affect their nervous systems. Once the poison has entered their bodies, the cockroaches will simply writhe about until they die.

Why Are They Called "Cockroaches?"

The term cockroach comes from the Spanish word "cucaracha."

The evolution of the term is summarized in a work by Captain John Smith, published in 1624. He describes ...

"a certain India Bug, called by the Spaniards a cacarootch, which, creeping into chests, eat and defile with their ill-scented dung."

This term "caca" was replaced by the English term associated with the rooster, "cock," resulting in the term "cockrootch." Finally, this led to the name we know them by today: the cockroach.

What Role Do Cockroaches Play in the Ecosystem?

Cockroaches play a vital role in the process of decomposition, an essential part of any ecosystem. Through their decomposing bodies water, nutrients, and energy is recycled back into the ecosystem from decaying plants, animals, and organic matter. Through this process, cockroaches fortify the soil with nutrients that plants rely on. Without them, this cycle might be impaired. Their eradication could end up damaging the entire ecosystem we live in. Cockroaches also play an important part in the food chain, and might also participate in pollination.

Have Cockroaches Contributed to the Medical Field?

Cockroaches were historically ground up, boiled, and used as medicines that treated asthma, strokes, bronchitis, and problems with urinary retention. Some homeopathic doctors even make and drank boiled cockroach tea to treat various ailments.

There is no evidence that cockroaches can successfully treat these complaints, but there is no proof that they don't, either. No significant studies have been performed, although one study discovered that cockroach brains might have antibiotic properties, which might lead to new treatments for bacterial infections. There are also a few books on the market that question whether cockroaches might someday play a part in the field of dermatology.

Although their use as medicine has yet to be fully explored, they are used for medical experiments and provide benefits in the field of medical research, especially in identifying the effects of chemicals and radiation on nerves.

What Is the Best Way To Kill Cockroaches?

Cockroaches are known to be great survivors. One of the greatest myths about cockroaches is that they can survive a nuclear explosions. While untrue, this myth hints at the reputation cockroaches have gained for themselves as hard-to-kill insects, Still, this creature is 100% killable if you choose the right plan of attack.

The cockroach's weak spot is its appetite. The trick is to get them to eat pesticide or insecticide. There are many "cockroach baits" on the market, but one of the best ways to naturally treat a cockroach infestation is with boric acid (or borax). This mineral is just as fatal to cockroaches as insecticides. Simply mix it with flour and spread it across your home for a natural solution to your cockroach problem.

More Facts About Cockroaches

Cockroaches are insects of the order Blattaria.

There are about 4,000 to 5,000 species of cockroaches, 30 of which are considered pests by humans.

Cockroaches can run up to 3 km/hr or 0.8 m/s.

They recognize their family and relatives by their distinctive odors.

They are nocturnal and omnivorous.

They don't easily drown and may last up to 30 minutes (or more) underwater.

Most species live in the tropics (like the Philippines).

They love glue. It might be their favorite food.

They like alcoholic beverages, including beer.

They can survive decapitation. Even after separation, both the body and the head will still respond to stimulus and both the antenna and the legs might wiggle. However, the head's movement will only last for a few hours while a body may last up to several weeks.

Cockroaches can survive without food for a month, but will only last a week without water.

Cockroaches have six hairy legs. The hairs provide them with a sense of touch.

Some female cockroaches mate only once and become pregnant for the rest of their lives.

Cockroaches can basically eat anything due to the presence of various bacteria and protozoa in their digestive system.

Questions & Answers

Questions must be on-topic, written with proper grammar usage, and understandable to a wide audience.

Why is it that when I try to kill a cockroach, and miss, a couple minutes later it comes after me?

Answer:

Based on recent findings as featured in BBC Nature, cockroaches are turning out to be more sophisticated than we thought. They also tend to have emotions. Also, when insects, just like most animals, feel that they are being threatened, they tend to protect themselves. Thus, they seem like they are trying to take revenge on you.

Comments

No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites.

sending

Carmen Arevalo

2 months ago

Hated them with passion since I was a little girl...someone had to come running to kill them. I panic still at the sight of one but I have to admit listening to a scientist stating that roaches understand and have emotions...so I tried one of his experiments. When I saw a roach drinking soapy water I spoke to it in a soft tone of voice. It stopped and looked up at me...I gave it clean water and it came over and drank from it. I saw the roach every morning in the same spot in the bathroom cabinate. Spoke to it. One day my grandson killed it. It was so sad. This it a true story.

Nelson

16 months ago

I wake up every night and there is always dead cockroaches in my house. Please how does this happen because it's been a long time since I used a pesticide in my house

Kitty Bear

19 months ago

Me thinks the mother came up, carried it away, & gave it new life

Kitty Bear

19 months ago

I just don't understand how u can slay the head of the dragon, yet next hour it somehow disappears...although there was no wind, no rain, no fire. Yet that damn thing just goes & walk off like nothing's wrong. Damn.

RaQueraccoon

19 months ago

They may be smarter than we think. I once chased one with a broom and it hid behind the tv stand in my family room. As I sat on the couch across the room waiting for it to come out I suddenly felt something weird on the back of my head. It was the cockroach wiggling its legs against my hair. Needless to say, it was the last thing Ms I'm Smarter Than The Average Cockroach ever did. LOL

Jonathan

20 months ago

Cockroaches-Nature's badass survivor of the apocalypse

Dipanku

20 months ago

good article

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

22 months agofrom Manila

@Jay That's really odd. Not sure about why that happens, but it's interesting despite the weirdness.

Jay

23 months ago

Every morning I have a new set of cockroach legs and carcass on my floor. Could you tell me why?

KENNETH

2 years ago

I have water Despenser and roach wont allow each time open it to take water l see roach around the body l've applied insecticide but still seeing them l feel throwing the machine away. What should l do? Thanks

Meh

2 years ago

*Sees that most species of cockroaches are in my country* Crud.

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

2 years agofrom Manila

@linda I don't know what will react on that, but looking forward, I guess? :)

linda

2 years ago

i love em and want to marry one in the near future

Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

2 years agofrom Philippines

I used to torture cockroaches slowly to death with alcohol and watch them whither and die to my deep satisfaction. There was no kindness in my heart for them. Watching them writhe, emitting a low key yet highly emotional sound like an amplifier was music to my ears. An hour later I would go back and yes, the relative would be there. Alcohol Power. Now, I just block their entrance areas. Do I miss them? NOT. But I may buy Borax just in case. IF it doesn't harm my dog...

Julie Brown

2 years ago

I am living in a boarding house/student accomm at the moment and the cockroaches, OMG. Led me to look up some info on them and found your article. Thanks for the hint about borax, buying some of that in the morning!!!

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

2 years agofrom Manila

Thank you for appreciating the article, Gloria Crook!

Gloria Crook

2 years ago

I watched a cockroach die on its back and it took a long time- about 3 hours before it stopped moving its antennae when I came near it with a paper towel to pick it up. I wondered WHY do they turn over? I'm so glad to see the article. Thanks for it! I'm getting out the boric acid! I hardly EVER see one and it's always on its back. But boric acid might keep them all away.

Tess

3 years ago

@Mindy

I nearly died reading your comment LOL!!!! The same thing happened to me a few months ago. A roach was flipped on its back and had just lied there still as I was getting laundry from the dryer. I walked around it grossed out and was going to eventually sweep it outside when I was done. As I kept walking around the roach, his legs started kicking and I freaked out thinking he was either on the verge of dying and he may just get up to die somewhere. I ran to get bug spray and he started kicking harder, trying to get back on his feet!!!!!!! I kept going, "omg omg omg" and sprayed the shiz out of him. From that day on, I never trusted any roach on their backs. **I just killed one today with a wasp spray, darn things** lol

Josh

3 years ago

How do there body's last 7 weeks without a head, but they can only last one week without water, and four weeks without food.. I can't seem to find it anywhere in the article where it says they can eat through there arse to survive?

K Dro

3 years ago

Thank you Melissa A Smith for the breath of humanity you added to these hurtful comments filled with hate and the desire to kill another type of creature that's unfortunately very different from us. I also see their beauty and believe they deserve to live. I do not get disgusted when I see a cockroach and I do not try to kill them. People can raise all the arguments they want to about germs, but it is trifle to argue over facts here. In my mind, the harm done to my spirit by despising and seeking to kill insects is more significant than the potential harm of germs and a creepy-crawly feeling. Thanks again Melissa for your comment and for the parts of the hub that weren't about killing them.

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

4 years agofrom Manila

@Meinukey I usually get paranoid too as if there's a cockroach crawling on my legs.

Meinukey

4 years ago

My entire body is itching as I read this.

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

4 years agofrom Manila

Thanks for sharing your story mindy! I didn't know that cockroaches are good actors too. Now, that's interesting!

mindy

4 years ago

So Im in the process of moving and I walk in to my living room and see a roach flipped on his back....so thinking its dead I get the broom and dustpan and go to sweep him up. Well...mhe wasn't dead! It grabs my broom and attempts to climb up!! I scream and smash it!! Lol worst morning ever! :). So I decided to research why they flip over and came across your page. Just want to say thanks. Great article. I learned a lot. But never ever trust a flipped over roach!! Im pretty sure he was faking death. Lmao

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

4 years agofrom Manila

@handymanbill Thanks for dropping by this hub, and I'm glad you found this hub on cockroaches interesting!

Bill

4 years agofrom western pennsylvania

Spray them, stomp on them any way i can find to kill them. But interesting hub.

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

4 years agofrom Manila

Thank you very much savvydating for dropping by one of my articles again. Yeah, I actually still dread the sight of these creatures, and as much as possible, I don't want to encounter them.

Yves

4 years ago

Lol. What a funny thing to write about. Nevertheless, your article is actually quite interesting. I had heard that roaches do serve a purpose, though I couldn't imagine what that might be. Nevertheless, in my mind, they are horrid little things and I personally cannot bear the sight of them. Good article. Voting interesting.

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

4 years agofrom Manila

@SusannaDuffy Oh well, it's a good thing they have their weakness. If not, I wouldn't know how to deal with them.

Susanna Duffy

4 years agofrom Melbourne Australia

Horrible things. I hope the only cockroach I ever see again is well and truly on its back

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

4 years agofrom Manila

Thanks puffofglitters for the insights and suggestion! I know it will help some readers who are dealing with roach infestation.

I appreciate you dropping by!

Minnie

4 years agofrom Miami, FL

Roaches are carriers of a multitude of diseases and I for one to do not want them in my home. So thank you for the part about how to kill and get rid of roaches. Spraying dish soap also does the trick as it causes them to suffocate by plugging up their spiracles (breathing pores).

Marcy J. Miller

5 years agofrom Arizona

I'm so glad I ran across this hub. I've always had a fascination with insects / arthropods / arachnids, etc. Although cockroaches aren't my favorite, I don't hate them; I'm pretty bug-friendly, really. Interestingly, we have so many scorpions, spiders and lizards on the property that it is rare to see a cockroach or cricket in the house. Nature keeps them well in check if left to its own devices.

Thanks for this interesting article on those much-maligned creatures!

Best -- Mj

Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

5 years agofrom Philippines

It's good to know that cockroaches serve a purpose in the world. I still hate them with passion. I like to watch them suffer when they die. I douse them with alcohol and it's a slow death, I imagine, in cockroach minutes.

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

5 years agofrom Manila

Hmmm, yeah, maybe that's one of the reasons why they really designed them to be pointy. Haha! Thanks for the great humor FlourishAnyway!

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

5 years agofrom Manila

@SallyTX Now that's something really interesting! I can't believe cockroaches know how to have a vacation too, and decide to reside instead. Haha!

Sally Branche

5 years agofrom Only In Texas!

Actually, when I was a child in TX we didn't have the great big ones. We just had the little ones. Those big ones migrated here from Florida, I think. ;D

FlourishAnyway

5 years agofrom USA

Fascinating hub! Who knew that these creatures had so many interesting things about them. They do grow them much bigger in Texas, by the way! HUGE! I think that's why there are pointy toes on cowboy boots -- to smoosh the cockroaches in the corners. Just kidding.

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

5 years agofrom Manila

@carrie I really had a blast writing and researching for this, and the facts gave me much amazement! Thanks for dropping by! Oh, and cool, you know some Filipino words!

Carrie Lee Night

5 years agofrom Northeast United States

Very interesting hub! :) I do not like roaches...however I've always known they were created for a eco-purpose and very vital to the food chain. Thank you for giving us some cool facts! (some females mate once and be pregnant for the rest of their lives) that fact blew me away and appreciate being human even more. Have a great day Salamat.

WindexSavesLives

5 years ago

I just spent an hour running away from a cockroach and decided to use Windex to kill it. It worked! Hope this helps...

Mel Carriere

5 years agofrom San Diego California

You are disgusting, Mr. Roach, but I find a strange attraction to things that are written about you. I really would like to snuff all of them out, but I realize that everything in nature has its ecological role, or significance as you say. Thank you for gathering these facts.

Rham Dhel

6 years agofrom India

All animals, including insects like cockroaches are beautiful creatures that also have rights to crawl YOUR world, too! Killing them is a selfish act from a being who is supposed to be far intelligent than them!

James

6 years ago

Horrible filthy insects! Yuck

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

6 years agofrom Manila

Now that's pretty interesting, wltw ! And I guess I could update this hub with that kind of information! :)

wltw

6 years agofrom Northern Maine

I heard the cockroach is actually the first cousin to the lobster on the zoological scale. It's easy to see who the black sheep of the family is.

tattuwurn

6 years ago

They can survive amazingly, even from nuclear radiation... but still fall dead from a mere spray of insecticide. hehehehe

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

6 years agofrom Manila

It really does make cockroaches more fascinating. Thanks for dropping by KDuBarry03! :)

KDuBarry03

6 years ago

Wow, I knew cockroaches were great survivors but I would have never known about their possible medical usages. Huh, very interesting!

I guess, being dirty is a matter of perspectives. For roaches, the see themselves clean, while we view them otherwise. Truly is it fascinating! Thanks for dropping by idigwebsites!

idigwebsites

6 years agofrom United States

Yes, they've survived radiation, but they still die from just a spray of an insecticide.

I've read somewhere that although roaches have the reputation of being dirty, they are actually fastidious little creatures, they clean themselves in a manner like cats do. They are clean. Hahaha.

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

6 years agofrom Manila

Thanks Ruchi for dropping by this hub about cockroaches. Yup, I was also surprised when I read it, but I believe it has still not been proven yet. And I myself, wouldn't dare to try it. Well, who would right? :))

Ruchi Urvashi

6 years agofrom Singapore

Great information about cockroaches..I like the part cockroach medical tea but I will not try it for sure..thanks for unique information!

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

6 years agofrom Manila

Thanks for the insightful comment Green Bard! You seem to have grown fond of these creatures. That's nice!

How does it feel to have them as pets? I'm just curious. :)

Steve Andrews

6 years agofrom Tenerife

I actually like cockroaches and used to keep Madagascan Hissing ones as pets when I lived in Cardiff. Here in Tenerife there are roaches all over the place and most people kill them with insecticide. I catch them an throw them out. I have noted that they are social creatures and gather in groups but I don't know how they do this.

Jhudah

6 years ago

haha that is so funny and so true. when the cockroach is in flight run for your lives! LOL

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

6 years agofrom Manila

I hate to admit it, but yes! When that happens, I usually don't know what to do. That's why I end up hiding from it by going to another room (if it's inside our home), and running away (if it's outside).

Jhudah

6 years ago

Cool cockroach facts haha. Cockroaches are scarier when they are flying.

AUTHOR

Renz Kristofer Cheng

7 years agofrom Manila

@Sally's Trove Yeah. These creatures are pretty much interesting.

@Melissa Smith I really appreciate your comment! The reason why I included that portion is because others would find the information useful. Also, these are still additional facts about these creatures. However, it does not mean that I condemn them. I hope you understand my point of view. Thanks again Melissa! :)

Sherri

7 years agofrom Southeastern Pennsylvania

More about roaches than I wanted to know! Indeed, they are survivors, but far from pretty little creatures, IMHO. I guess we still have a lot to learn from them. They've been around a lot longer than humans, and I'm guessing they know more than we do about survival. Still, I'd go to every length to get them out of my house.

Melissa A Smith

7 years agofrom New York

I think cockroaches are beautiful. Thanks for writing some positive things about this group of animals for once. Such a shame that you had to typically demote your hub in talking about killing them.

Connect with us

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, owlcation.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

This is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)

Google AdSense Host API

This service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

This is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

Facebook Login

You can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

Maven

This supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)

We may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.

Conversion Tracking Pixels

We may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.

Statistics

Author Google Analytics

This is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)

Comscore

ComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)

Amazon Tracking Pixel

Some articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)